Career Summary

Biography

Research Expertise
My major research interests are cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology including exercise physiology. In particular, how these complex systems are controlled and integrated in the central nervous system and what factors modulate them. My main interests currently are the control of the coronary and bronchial circulations with special focus on the autonomic control mechanisms. The following is a brief summary:
" I developed innovative approaches to the application the Impedance Cardiograph for the non-invasive measurement of cardiac output in humans. Published widely on evaluation of its accuracy and limitations.
" I introduced within Human Physiology (University of Newcastle) the use of the pulsed Doppler ultrasound technology for blood flow measurement in multiple small blood vessels. A new technique for manufacturing the minitarised flow transducers was developed and an evaluation of the accuracy of the technique was published in the American Journal of Physiology.
" Instrumental in encouraging medical graduates to pursue careers in academic medicine. Examples include Professor Peter Moore PhD (now Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of California, Davis USA) and A/Prof David Cottee PhD (Department of Anaesthesia, Discipline of Surgical Science, Faculty Health, University of Newcastle).
" I have a longstanding and close collaborative research relationship with Professor Peter Moore, studying coronary control mechanisms.
" I collaborate with other members in the Discipline of Human Physiology (E/Professor S White) and other Disciplines within the Faculty Health (A/Prof David Cottee, Surgical Sciences) on research projects.
" I collaborated with Dr Ross MacPherson PhD, Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney. A study on the effects of the anaesthetic agent halothane on myogenicity was published in Anesthesia and Analgesia.
" In 2000-01 I visited UC Davis California, USA and collaborated with Professor Ann Bonham, studying nervous control mechanisms in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This data was published in the American Journal of Physiology.
" Helped initiate and establish the Hunter Heart-Lung Research Guild, an associate research group within the Hunter Medical Research Institute, for the promotion of basic and clinical cardiovascular and pulmonary research in the Hunter region. The Guild consists of collaborative groups of clinicians and basic researchers.
" Supervised BBiomed Science Honours student (Ms Rebecca Roach) 2004. She was awarded 1st Class Honours for her research Thesis and the University Medal, University of Newcastle, NSW.
" Currently Supervising 2 PhD students (DMcleod and MHamut).

Teaching Expertise
I teach Human Physiology to multiple undergraduate courses within the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle. I provide the main Human Physiology resource for the Bachelor of Medicine Program. I also teach postgraduate physiology to medical officers (Interns, RMO's, registrars), nurses and other health professionals. I remain actively involved in Anaesthetic clinical practice and teach basic science and professional skills to emergency department trainees and anesthetic residents in the Operating Room environment. In the laboratory I teach advanced physiological experimental techniques to undergraduate and honours students in the BBiomedical Science Program, and supervise Doctoral (PhD) students.

Administrative Expertise
I have multiple teaching, educational, research, clinical and other outside administrative commitments. See workload document for details.

During the period April, 1968, to April, 1973, all patients admitted with respiratory failure following chest injury, were managed in the Acute Respiratory Unit. The great majorit... [more]

During the period April, 1968, to April, 1973, all patients admitted with respiratory failure following chest injury, were managed in the Acute Respiratory Unit. The great majority resulted from motor vehicle accidents. 130 patients suffered respiratory failure following chest injury, and were all seen by at least one of the authors. Only 21 patients had isolated chest injury, 109 having multiple injuries. Twenty four patients died, 9 from associated cerebral contusion. The place of artificial ventilation in the proper management of chest injuries is discussed and particular stress is laid on those patients with conditions or injuries likely to lead to respiratory failure. In this category are those patients with significant flail segment, associated head or abdominal injury, the obese, and those with pre existing chest disease.

Conservative measures were tried in 57 patients with respiratory failure following chest injury, who were initially thought not to require artificial ventilation. In 30 of these, ... [more]

Conservative measures were tried in 57 patients with respiratory failure following chest injury, who were initially thought not to require artificial ventilation. In 30 of these, thoracic epidural analgesia was considered unsuitable and in these patients pain was managed with either intercostal nerve block or parenteral narcotics. Thirteen of these eventually needed artificial ventilation. Of 27 patients in whom epidural analgesia was considered to be suitable, difficulty in obtaining adequate analgesia was initially encountered in 6 but adequate block was ultimately achieved. In 6 patients, artificial ventilation was later needed. Conservative measures were successful in 38 of 57 patients.

The management of 130 consecutive patients who suffered respiratory failure following chest injuries is described. 92 patients required artificial ventilation. Associated injuries to the abdomen, the head, or the skeletal system were common and one third suffered from preexisting diseases of the chest or other systems. In patients with respiratory failure but not requiring artificial ventilation, analgesia was provided by means of epidural injection of local anesthetic, intercostal blocks or injection of morphine. In the artificially ventilated group continuous iv infusion of an analgesic, usually phenoperidine, was given. Laparotomy was performed in 38 patients of the series. 22 of the ventilated patients died, 9 from cerebral injury and 5 from respiratory causes. Two of the nonventilated group died. No long term complications of tracheostomy were encountered in the 96 patients so managed in this series.

van der Touw TJ, White SW, Hennessy EJ, Porges WL, Quail AW, Glenfield PJ, 'Dynamic control of the bronchial circulation in the conscious dog: preliminary data on the role of alpha and beta adrenoceptors, and of cholinoceptors', Progress in Microcirculation Research: Proceedings of the Fifth Australian and New Zealand Symposium, Canberra, ACT (1989)